Fresh Starts

I feel like, as readers and writers of blogs, and members of the pinterest generation, there are a few things we couldn't forget if we tried.
Things like: Do what you love. Make time for your passions. Follow your heart.

But all too often, we forget the practical ways of implementing these ideals in our daily lives. I know I do. I'm not sure if it's because of the baby and exhaustion that comes with it or not, but I've been crazy blah lately. I've dropped all of my hobbies, and rarely spend my free time doing anything but sleeping and eating. Calvin keeps me peppy, but when he's gone I just fall apart. It sounds pathetic because it is. I used to have a me to fall back on. A spirited, interesting, fun lady to come home to when Calvin was out doing karate or his newest obsession, tricking. Anymore I just kind of feel like a grumpy loser. I kind of hate it.

But, we're moving into a new place next month, and we're super stoked about it. They have a pool, workout room, picnic area, grills, tennis court, etc. I'm so happy! I really hope it will be a good place for us, and a fresh new start for baby and me. It's a little bit of a downgrade size-wise, but the baby's room will be right next to ours (which is the main reason we needed to move) and it will be a clean start for us. Something about me- I LOVE fresh starts. When my siblings grumbled and complained about us moving to another city or house, I was bouncing with excitement. I love being able to start fresh and have a whole array of possibilities at your fingertips. We've been where we live now for around three years and it's just getting stale.

On to bigger, better and brighter things, I hope. I hope the same for you too :)
If things are getting stagnant, I hope you find a way to change them. If something's off track, I hope you find a way to right it.

All the best,
Grace Elizabeth.
(and our little peach!)

Oh hey there, blog.

I feel like super poop for taking so long to post. And I feel like poop for complaining about it too, so I'll just leave it at that. 


On to happier things :) :

1. I discovered, spent an arm and a leg on, and read entirely this book: Why We Broke Up written by Daniel Handler a.k.a. Lemony Snicket :P and Illustrated by Maira Kalman. It's wonderful. It encompassed so much of my feelings at the high school age, has beautiful illustrations every chapter, and is written in the same style as my brain thinks. Totally wonderful.


2. We played with the ferrets for a while and tuckered them out. Came back a while later and found them snuggling in the hammock :DD *eternal ferret adoration*


3. Found the tastiest snack ever ever.


4. We got Calvin's karate room set up downstairs! It's right next to my beautiful spare bedroom/craft room thing so we can be close while still doin our own thing sometimes. Plus I find it really fun to play in too :P


5. I just started having to do teeny tiny little pigtails in my hair because it's growing out into a baby mullet XD And yes, I'm gonna grow it a little while again. Probably keep it around shoulder length this time. I like to mix it up :)


6. Made the awesomest soup ever. We really enjoy soup around here :P This one is organic potato, green beans, and rotisserie chicken with cheesy bread. So yummy!


7. Broke in the new karate room with a little his and her's boxing match on Saturday :D


8. My lovely Momma with a picture I drew of my lovely Momma! <3


9. We looked at this house for sale last weekend as well! Like, set up a time with a realtor, discussed lending options legitly looked at it. Adult status yo. And isn't she dreamy?? The scallops are to die for! *fingers crossed*

So, that was my week. How was yours lovely people? Missed ya'll!

All the best,

Grace Elizabeth.

Story People

Me and the Yeti just decided to sign another year lease on our little town home, and in honor of this place we've come home to for three years, I decided to do a post highlighting some of our favorite parts. The "tour" starts in the master bedroom:

When you first walk in, on the right there is a humongous black dresser, with the new antigue globe from Leadville, the T.V. we use to watch Bleach every night, an adorable Target storage container in bright blue that holds DVDs, and a matching little fake tree I've made into a photo tree. An owl sock puppet is perched on top :P Above it hang a board of memories from mine and Calvin's relationship, updated from the very very beginning until now and I'm sure until the very end. And above the T.V. hangs the map art heart I made a couple of weeks ago. The bed is in the middle of the room facing out, and above it we hung a few matching typography pictures. "See the Good in All Things." One reads, another is a tandem bicycle, a photo of us, and a few clocks. The record player my father bought me in High school and records is to the left of the bed, and if you turn to the left you'll see:

The bookshelf is a cluttered towering monster that has taken on a life of its own. Upon it rests the owl collection, books, cameras, figurines, a 1930's jewelry box, and a painting by a senile Russian. On each side of it, are chairs that me and my Mom reupholstered and painted, sock monkey Calvin and Grace that she made for us, and our build-a-bear wolves. On the wall hangs a huge fork and spoon painted matte white and black, the antique Aspen picture, and a picture Calvin bought me in Manitou Springs by the Story People which says,

"I read once that the ancient Egyptians had fifty words for sand & the Eskimos had a hundred words for snow. I wish I had a thousand words for love, But all that comes to mind is the way you move against me in your sleep, & there are no words for that."

 It made me cry.

Go to the left further and you'd see the disorganized deck, Calvin's desk, and further left is the bathroom:

The bathroom is bright and blue, it has a bird cage shower curtain, a little wooden stool from our wedding, a gold-leaf antique ashtray to hold jewelry, and a basket of matryoshka soaps. The shower is guarded by a plastic red octopus, but he is camera shy. If you walk out of the bathroom, passed the counter and sinks, then out of the bedroom, you'd be in the kitchen:

It is tiny and the stove has an analog timer. Everything is red and chrome and Coke themed because, like me, Coke is syrupy and nostalgic. There are more flowers, because there should always be more flowers. They are in just a few of many milk glass vases I've collected. On the fridge is a faux wood wall decal that says, "Bake Stir Sprinkle Mix" which is adorable, but a little misleading as I rarely cook. The kitchen is open to the living room:

Which is home to a big plain tan leather couch and a lumpy green papasan chair who are best friends. There are more books and another T.V., my favorite decoration of all; the home sweet home plate, and a retro coke thermometer. There is also a fish named Ponyo, and a sucker fish with no name, but they are also camera-shy. To the right are the stairs that lead down:

Above them sits a little castaway round table with an antique mirror, my dried wedding bouquet, a left over wedding flower centerpiece, and a glass bird. Hexagon shelves with sticks and flowers and candles in them hang above it. Down the stairs is mostly storage and clothes and a parakeet with split personality disorder, but I like this corner with it's chair that may be stolen, and a shelf full of curiosities and more chrome.

Dear little home, even with all of our clutter and knick-knacks and nights stayed up late, thank you for loving us and being warm and bright and keeping all of the bad out and the merry inside. Thank you for all of your quirks and for accepting all of ours. I hope we have many years together to come.